The CU*Answers Communi7y Crew sponsored their third annual Chili Cook Off contest to raise money for the Kid’s Backpack Event. This event provides kids with both needed and fun supplies as they transition to their foster homes.

Staff were invited to bring in a chili to enter in the contest. For a donation of only $5.00, staff could then vote for their top three chili recipes. In all, the cook off raised $211.00.

“Usually I like traditional red chili, but this year I really like the chicken chili. It is very close!” said Hugo Auzins, CU*Answers programmer. Ashley Fryling, client service representative, loved seeing what everyone submitted: “Everyone’s recipes were so different this year, which was great.”

The three winners were awarded with an honorary wooden spoon. Morgan VanEnk took first place, with Jake Caliendo and Kasey Woodhead following close behind.

The Communi7y Crew was formed in June 2014 to promote community events that support the 7 Cooperative Principles (Voluntary and Open Membership, Democratic Member Control, Member Economic Participation, Education and Training, Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Concern for Community), which are the foundation of all credit unions.

The Communi7y Crew accepts events from any staff member that supports community outreach. Other events include hosted blood drives, Stuff the Bus for back to school backpacks, cancer runs, Toys for Tots, soup bowl painting (that provides soup in your painted bowls for a local food pantry) and participation in the annual MICareer Quest, a hands-on career and college readiness event for middle and high school students.